The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1887-06-23

there is a narrow passage about twenty
feet long, and then You turn sharp
angle where the passage becomes
wider. A hundred feet or so from the
turn you descend staircase, and then
continue through another passage to
the mortuary chamber, some three hum
dred feet from the bottom of the shaft.
The most of the mummies were found
in this chamber, and the empty cases
OF others which had been plundered by
the Arabs were scattered along the
passages all the way from the chamber
to the foot Of the shaft.
81 got down the shaft without trouble,
and made my way along the passages
and down the staircase, stopping now
and then to study the Inscriptions on
the walls. They are not as numerous
as those on the walls of the tombs of
the Kings, but many of them are new
and interesting; copied few that inn
pressed me as different from any had
seen elsewhere.
II suddenly remembered that I was
hungry and thirsty, and on looking at
my watch found that it was well along
in the afternoon; I had been SO absorbed
in the study OF the place that. I had
quite forgotten the lunch which l left
near the foot of the ladder, intending
to eat it after was through with my
labors. The floor of the tomb is strewn
with pieces of rock, and the same is the
case with all the tombs around Thebes
and Luxor. had to pick my way very
carefully, and two or three times
stumbled over some of the fragments in
consequence of the dim light supplied by
my candle. As left the mortuary cham
Der, with my thoughts in the direction
of the luncheon that awaited me, j had
another stumble; it was worse than all
the others, as it was accompanied by a
fall, and fall that extinguished my
candle.
''But did not regard the fall as any
thing serious, as the candle could be
relighted in moment. Putting my
hand in my pocket for my matchbox.
I found it empty. and instantly realized
the awkwardness Of my position.
was alone in an Egyptian tomb, with
no means of striking light! The dark
ness was literally Egyptian Itseemed
to press close against the eye like a
rock; perhaps my Imagination had a
great deal to do with the density Of the
darkness, but it certainly seemed many
degrees more dense than any thing
had ever before experienced.
"Even in the darkest night on the
surface of the earth there is generally q
sensation of little specks of light, but
here there was absolutely nothing Of
the sort. My first sensation was one ol
horror, but it didn't last great while,
As soon as I could collect my senses
set about devising a way out Of my
trouble. Clearing away the fragments
of rock sufficiently to give me place
to sit down, I leaned against the wall
and deliberated.
"At first 1 thought of trying to reacf
the foot of the shaft, whereI would find
/ light and food, but a little reflection
! showed that would run a great risk
The passage-way was not regular; it
door contained several ugly holes tive
or three feet deep. and for the eptir'
distance the rough pieces of ston,
would be so many stumbling blocks
I was certain to have a good many falls
and any one of them might disable me
a cut on the forehead might let m,
bleed to death, and was far from as
sistance; but what was the alternative
"Visitors might come during the day
and would be relieved. But suppos
there were no visitors. What then
'.My friends at Luxor. would becom
alarmed at my absence. They knew
was intending to visit the new tomb a
Dayr-el Baharee, and a search woul,
be organized; but they wouldn't becom
alarmed until evening, and then j
would be too late to do any thing unit
: next morning. Consequently, mus
pass the night in the tomb!
"Reconciling myself as best coul,
to the situation. / cleared off an ad
ditional space on the floor, SO as to hav
sufficient room to lie down. It was
hard bed, but great deal better tha
no bed at all. II was hungry an
thirsty, and with the knowledge tina
food and drink were out of my reach
the pangs increased until ] was halt
.. delirous in consequence.
II tried to sleep, but my sleep wa
not restful; hunger walked me ever
few minutes, and in the sleeping inter
walls / dreamed of banquets where a
sorts of appetizing dishes were served
but Just as was about to partake Q
them. / walked.
"All the Kings and Queens Of ancien
Egypt passed me in review. Sleepin,
! or waking. they hovered about me; bu
5 X did not feel their presence burdel
8 half rs much as that of my hunger an
thirst. They were shadowy at best
: while my physical wants were substan
> tial.
ITO tell all thought OF during tina
. | xx,~,,11 fsl1 . vxol,,v-,c ur